PJ Library Delivers its 3 Millionth Jewish Children’s Book

Popular program in York Region looks to expand across the GTA

PJ Library (PJ as in pyjamas), which offers free, high-quality Jewish
books and music each month to families raising Jewish children, achieved a
major milestone recently when PJ’s 82 year-old founder Harold Grinspoon hand-delivered
the organization’s 3 millionth Jewish children’s book to a Livingston, New
Jersey family.

The program now sends 100,000 free
books to families across North America each month – up from 200 a month in
2005, when Grinspoon first started the program in Massachusetts.

One of PJ Library’s goals is that
somewhere between Dr. Seuss and the Berenstein Bears, a child may turn to a
book like Vivian Newman’s “Ella’s’ Trip to Israel” or Toronto’s own Aubrey Davis’ “Bagels from Benny” and spark
a Jewish discussion in a household that doesn’t have enough of them.

The program’s impact is felt throughout
Jewish federations, community centres, synagogues, and other organizations that
partner with PJ Library in making these books available to young children and
their families.

For almost two years, UJA Federation of
Greater Toronto’s support of PJ Library has helped bring the books to over 1,800
families in York Region, one of the fastest growing Jewish communities in the
world.

While The Harold Grinspoon Foundation
funds about 50 percent of the program, locally the program is made possible by
the generous donations of Gabi Weisfeld, the Weinbaum Family Foundation,
Phyllis & Ab Flatt and UJA Federation.

“The positive, upbeat stories we hear from
parents and grandparents about the ways the books inspire their children and
grandchildren with new feelings about their Jewish identities are powerful,”
said Ted Sokolsky, President & CEO, UJA Federation of Toronto. “Getting
these children involved in reading at an early age and having their Jewish
identities nurtured and fortified, has been a wonderful experience for
everyone.”

The
books, which are chosen by a selection committee of educators and editors, run
the gamut from explicitly Jewish to barely so. The themes reflect the personal
dedication of the program's founder, who puts a premium on stories promoting
tikkun olam (repairing the world), Jewish summer camp, visiting Israel and
contemporary families enjoying Judaism.Each age group, from 6 months to 5 1/2 years old, receives its
own age-appropriate books, and all the books include a parents' guide for
further discussion or activity.

Currently
in over 170 communities in Canada, the United States, Israel and Australia, UJA
Federation is seeking additional funds to expand PJ Library across the Greater
Toronto Area.

For more
information about PJ Library, or to enroll, please visit pjlibrary905.ca

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